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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged UN Secretary-General António Guterres “to immediately implement Article 99 of the UN Charter and bring the growing insecurity in Nigeria—characterized by mass kidnappings, killings, attacks on civilians, mass displacement, and other serious human rights violations—to the attention of the UN Security Council.”
SERAP said, “Growing insecurity and gross violations of human rights in Nigeria are reflected in repeated kidnappings, killings, attacks on civilians, and mass displacement in Oyo, Benue, Borno, Plateau, Kaduna, Zamfara, and several other regions of the country.”
In an open letter dated May 30, 2026 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “The scale, persistence and regional implications of the severe insecurity and human rights crisis in Nigeria pose a threat to international peace and security and risk exacerbating existing threats in the region.”
SERAP said, “Article 99 of the UN Charter is specifically designed for situations where an emerging or ongoing crisis requires urgent preventive diplomacy, ongoing international monitoring and coordinated international action.”
According to SERAP, “Several years of violence and conflict in several countries have created appalling human suffering, physical devastation and collective trauma across Nigeria. Our call is based on the prevention mandate of the UN Charter and the urgent need to address the rapidly deteriorating situation in the country.”
The letter, in part, reads: “Article 99 of the UN Charter states that: ‘The Secretary-General may bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.’”
“Putting rising insecurity and serious human rights violations in Nigeria on the Security Council’s formal agenda will strengthen the credibility and effectiveness of the UN system in fulfilling its primary responsibility to maintain international peace and security.”
“It will also ensure continued international attention to attacks on civilians, including kidnappings, killings and displacement.”
“The crisis in Nigeria is not just a domestic law enforcement issue. It is increasingly impacting regional peace and security through the cross-border movement of armed groups and weapons, large-scale displacement, increasing instability beyond Nigeria’s borders, and the weakening of human rights protection institutions and the rule of law.”
“There is no effective protection of people and communities, with frequent reports of large-scale patterns of violence in various states.”
“Nigeria is facing a severe and worsening security crisis characterized by repeated mass abductions of schoolchildren, teachers, women, passengers and rural residents; attacks on villages and farming communities; killings by armed groups and criminal networks; and widespread displacement.”
“Communities in Oyo, Benue, Borno and across Nigeria continue to experience repeated attacks with devastating consequences for civilian life, dignity and security. The recent kidnapping of students and teachers in Oyo State illustrates the severity of the crisis facing the civilian population.”
“On or about May 15, 2026, gunmen reportedly attacked several schools in Ahoro Esinele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, including Community Grammar School, Baptist Primary and Kindergarten School, and LA Primary School.”
“In the coordinated attacks, at least 25 students and seven teachers were kidnapped. One assistant principal was reportedly killed, while another teacher later died in captivity.”
“A distressing video then circulated showing a kidnapped teacher, deputy principal of Community Grammar School, pleading publicly with President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, and the Nigerian people to secure the release of the victims. The abductees were being held in poor conditions, exposed to extreme weather, and called for urgent dialogue to save their lives.”
“This incident highlights the devastating humanitarian impact of repeated kidnappings targeting schools, children, and education workers, and underscores the urgent need to strengthen civil protection, accountability, and preventive measures.”
“Available information also indicates that gunmen recently kidnapped secondary school students and other tourists in Benue State while they were on their way to take university entrance examinations.”
“There have also been reports of increased attacks by non-state armed groups in the North East, North West and North Central regions. A recent bomb blast in Maiduguri, Borno State, reportedly killed at least 23 people and injured more than 100 others.”
“These attacks were accompanied by repeated attacks on military formations, attacks on internally displaced persons camps, kidnappings of women and children, and killings of civilians in rural communities.”
“In Katsina State, gunmen recently killed at least 10 people, including women and children. In separate incidents, coordinated raids left at least 20 people dead and resulted in the kidnapping of citizens. In Adamawa State, another attack reportedly killed at least 29 people.”
“Taken together, these incidents reflect an intensifying security crisis characterized by mass killings, kidnappings and ongoing attacks on rural communities.”
“This situation is rapidly deteriorating into a humanitarian and security crisis with potentially far-reaching consequences for Nigerian society as a whole and for peace, security and stability across the West African subregion. These devastating impacts must be urgently prevented.”
“Recent statements issued by UN officials have underscored growing international concern regarding worsening insecurity and gross human rights violations in Nigeria. In June 2025, you condemned the killing of people in Benue State and called for those responsible to be found and arrested.”
“In February 2026, you also condemned the terrorist attack in Kwara State, reaffirmed UN solidarity with Nigeria, and stressed the need to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
“In November 2025, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed its shock at the surge in mass kidnappings in Nigeria and urged authorities at all levels to take all lawful measures to stop such attacks, ensure accountability, and guarantee the safe return of victims.”
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“The United Nations has also warned that insecurity in Nigeria has wider humanitarian and regional consequences. The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria has noted that violence across the region has displaced millions of people, disrupted livelihoods, and deepened one of the country’s most severe humanitarian crises in recent years.”
“UN agencies have also expressed concern that persistent attacks and instability are exacerbating food insecurity and increasing pressure on communities in Nigeria and the wider region.”
“These repeated warnings confirm that this crisis is not just a domestic problem, but has serious implications for human rights, humanity, and regional peace and security.”
“The Secretary-General’s recent invocation of Article 99 in relation to Gaza reaffirms the importance of this role in a situation involving large-scale human suffering, a humanitarian emergency and the risk of broader regional destabilization.”
“This shows the importance of timely action when national crises have transboundary consequences, including displacement and insecurity.”
“Under international human rights law, states’ responsibilities go beyond simply refraining from committing direct violations. Nigerian authorities may be held accountable if they fail to exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate, punish and redress violations committed by non-state actors where the risks were known or could be reasonably foreseen.”
“Recurrent patterns of kidnappings, attacks, enforced disappearances, killings and violence across Nigeria show that these risks are known, repeatedly documented and foreseeable.”
“When such threats persist without adequate preventive safeguards, effective investigations, or accountability, serious concerns arise under international human rights law including the UN Charter.”
“The ongoing insecurity across Nigeria has resulted, and continues to result, in the loss of lives, the destruction of communities, and widespread fear affecting millions of people. The continuation of these attacks, their humanitarian consequences, and their implications for regional stability require urgent international attention.”
SERAP therefore urges Mr António Guterres to:
Use your powers under Article 99 and immediately convey the situation in Nigeria to the Security Council.
Promote regular and public Security Council briefings on insecurity, kidnapping and humanitarian consequences in Nigeria.
Request systematic reporting by relevant UN agencies on attacks, displacement and humanitarian impact.
Calls on Nigerian authorities to take immediate action to prevent attacks, protect civilians and ensure the release of abducted persons.
Urge prompt, independent and effective investigations into all incidents and ensure accountability for perpetrators and their supporters.
Publicly calls on Nigerian authorities to uphold their human rights obligations and strengthen civilian protection measures.
Support measures to end impunity and ensure healing and reparations for victims and affected communities.
Urges the international community to use all available leverage to prevent further escalation and protect people’s lives.
